Monday, March 3, 2014

Monday before Ash Wednesday

From depths of woe I cry to Thee Lutheran Service Book  #607

Psalm 130; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:20-21; 1 Timothy 1:14

From depths of woe I cry to Thee,
In trial and tribulation;
Bend down Thy gracious ear to me,
Lord, hear my supplication,
If Thou remb’rest ev’ry sin,
Who then could heaven ever win
Or stand before Thy presence?

Truth be told, people who say, “God never gives you more than you can handle” are lying to you. They are giving you yet another list of things to do so that God will somehow stand up and take notice. Nonsense! You’re more than a dog who gets a treat every time you behave or act nicely. Truth be told – your sin condemns you. You can’t handle it! It’s too much!

So stop trying! Get over yourself! Repent; that is, believe Jesus’ promises! He did what you could never do. He lived a perfect life. And this perfection is handed over to you. It is now your own. The Father looks at you as if you had never sinned. You are flawlessness because, and only because, you are in Christ. Cling to Jesus and His promises. He makes you a new person. You are His. He will not leave you. He loves you more than you will ever know. And in Him you sin is no more. There is no more guilt. All that is left is His redeeming love.   

God of might and compassion, You sent Your Word into the world as a watchman to announce the dawn of salvation. Do not leave us in the depths of our sin, but listen to Your Church pleading for the fullness of Your redeeming grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.[1]



[1] For All the Saints; Collect for Psalm 130, © The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY 

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